"Is SAGA still a thing?" Topic

I was avoiding getting into SAGA years ago, because I was put off by the special dice etc., but am now getting a bit bored and want to get into something new. It, however, looks like a lot of the rule books at various sites I've looked at are out of stock. The videos I've been seeing are also from several years ago. On a quick scan of the Historicon events (and I admit it was a very quick scan) I didn't see any SAGA games. Is SAGA still a thing?

New book should be out this month. In my area group of us play every week or so.

It was a thing around here but it kinda died out. A lot of our club thought 2nd ed. was awful so have moved on to other rules…

When version II came out (Yah, let's all spend another $100 USD) the game hit a brick wall here in the south.

Yes, they killed the golden goose when the second version of the rules came out. Several people here still play the first version, but the company has expanded into fantasy and I think sci-fi as well. It would be interesting to know what their figure sales are like, because I see a lot of them around, but not many people buying them. I thought the game was OK, but after a few scenarios they started to seem like the same thing; i.e., use your special dice in killer combos to destroy some unsuspecting player's unit! New players are basically "meat" for those who have played once or twice.

To me 'SAGA' still means Terry Gore's – may he Rest In Peace – ancient and medieval rules set. Quite good, realistic and playable. Unfortunately dropped out of view after he died, much too young, really first-rate guy.

We play Version two in various parts of New Zealand, more version two tournaments then version one also, I think version two is an improvement on version 1.

I thought the game was OK, but after a few scenarios they started to seem like the same thing; i.e., use your special dice in killer combos to destroy some unsuspecting player's unit!

Funnily enough, a criticism of the game I recently heard is that its sort of boring because the killer combos come up too rarely and the game as a result tends to be kind of dull.

The 2nd edition inspired me enough to get the rules and a starter warband, but they haven't seen much play, the game is not exactly dead locally but not too lively either.

Happily, there's no shortage of other games the figures could be used for.

Thanks everybody. This gives me an idea of the state of things. It seems that I'd do as well trying or writing another skirmish game as jumping into SAGA (maybe just dust off Pig Wars). I guess the time to have gotten into it was back in version 1.

Like many rules systems it varies depending on where you are located. I know people that have stopped playing SAGA in one area, and in another it has taken off.

I have never played the game. But as of a couple of months ago there were guys in my area that played it weekly, or bi-weekly. Some drove over 50 miles to play it.

Tom

I play it once or twice a month, either solo or at the club blackshawgaming.wordpress.com/?s=saga It is not a strong simulation but it is fun. The 2nd edition is tighter and less ambiguous than the 1st.

Always thought it would have made a better fantasy battle system.

I think the Lion Rampant series has replaced it. Plus. Saga was a lot more gimmicky/gamey than the Rampant games IMO, which is why I lost interest in Saga. (I just used d6s with a conversion chart.)

Did not know it was a thing.

it still is a thing

Pre-Covid there were still tournaments running at HMGS-East cons. I never got into the 2ed having invested in all the 1ed books though. My group likes Lion Rampant and Infamy Infamy.

Have a look at Clash of Spears.

Play and like 'Rebels and Patriots'. Have Lion Rampant but not yet played.

Heard Dan Mersey is writing a Dark Age set similar to 'Lion Rampant'. Is this true or just a rumor? Would prefer that over Saga. However, I do like 'Muskets and Tomahawks' which I believe is from the same company that makes SAGA.

Saga v1 was popular in the Chicago area.
A group of six to eight would meet monthly and even played an Age of the Wolf campaign.
Adepticon in Schaumburg, IL hosts the Saga Grand Melee.
Unfortunately Covid cancelled the last two tournaments.
I think Saga v2 killed the game with only two of us playing regularly.
Saga v2 is a vast improvement over v1.
Newcomers should check out Saga Thorsday on You-tube.
StudioTomahawk's website will answer rules questions quickly.
It is a good game.